Rihannon Giddens; A Novelist's Journey as a Sex Worker; Best Dumplings in NYC; "War Game" Documentary

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Actor Ruiardh Mollica who plays Max in the film "Sebastian"
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[REBROADCAST FROM OCTOBER 19, 2023] Composer, vocalist and banjo virtuoso Rhiannon Giddens talks about her work, from adapting songs from folk traditions around the world, to her latest album of original music called "You're The One." Giddens will be performing this weekend in Katonah NY.

In the film "Sebastian," Max is a 25-year-old aspiring novelist, living in London and paying his dues working at a literary magazine. Frustrated by his own ambitions and the pressures to succeed, Max begins moonlighting as a sex worker with the pseudonym Sebastian, secretly meeting men via an escorting platform and using his experiences to fuel his stories. Director Mikko Mäkelä and Ruaridh Mollica who plays Max, joins to discuss the film, which is out in select theaters tomorrow.

With Din Tai Fung, the popular Taiwanese dumpling chain, opening its first New York location earlier this summer, we take a look at where to get the best dumplings in the city from Manhattan's Chinatown, to Flushing, to Sunset Park. We're joined by Grace Young, food historian and cookbook author specializing in Chinese cuisine to guide the conversation. Plus, we take listener calls.
In the documentary "War Game", a bipartisan group of elected and defense officials conduct an unscripted role-play exercise, where they are confronted with a political coup in the wake of a contested 2024 presidential election. Directors Jesse Moss and Tony Gerber join to discuss the real-world implications of the film, along with Janessa Goldbeck who plays the role of Game Producer in the film. The film premiers tomorrow at Film Forum, and plays the entire week. 
*This episode is guest-hosted by Kousha Navidar